Published 11:17 pm, Sunday, October 10, 2010

ROXBURY -- State Rep. Arthur J. O'Neill, R-Southbury, has represented the towns of Roxbury, Southbury, Bridgewater and Washington in the 69th District since 1988.

He chaired the Shepaug River Task Force that studied the effects of the diversion of water on the Shepaug River to Waterbury reservoirs to assure the 1921 contract between Washington and Waterbury was implemented properly.

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This year, as O'Neill runs unopposed to retain his seat, he wants his constituents to "understand the severity of the budgetary situation in the state," he said.

"I can't overstate how difficult it will be for the state to balance the budgets over the next two years," O'Neill said. "For the last three years, we've borrowed money to cover deficits. Money was taken out of funds set up for weatherization, energy efficiency -- any spare change has been used up."

O'Neill said he fought in the last legislative session against tax increases that were reduced only because the economic reality made taxpayer payments impossible.

Education grants coming to the towns in the 69th District have traditionally been small, and he sees "the struggle continuing for financial aid."

Town road aid from the state "has been favorable, though limited," O'Neill said. But he sees future reductions there as well. He said he is still hopeful that an open space funding package he is now working on for Mine Hill property in Roxbury will still come through.

"The good news is, this is an opportunity to try to change the atmosphere about the role of state government," O'Neill said, "to end the belief that state government is capable of ongoing expansion through all times.

"Government is limited and has to prioritize what it can do," he said. "Once we have gone through this painful process, the state will be on firm footing toward long-term economic growth and solvency."